OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Like the rest of the Fredonia community, the Fredonia Fire Department is mourning the passing of Annemarie Johnston.

An emotional Mayor Michael Ferguson honored Annemarie Johnston, who passed away last week, at Tuesday’s Fredonia Board of Trustees meeting.

Also Tuesday, the OBSERVER received word that a benefit/birthday party in Johnston’s honor is still scheduled for Saturday.

Johnston, the Fredonia village clerk, died Aug. 28 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Ferguson led a moment of silence in her honor during the first village meeting since her passing. He struggled to hold back tears.

“As many of you know, tonight’s kind of a sad night to be holding a meeting,” he began. “We had the passing of a very near and dear friend to us, who began working in the police department, giving service back to the community, and since 2018 was the official village clerk of Fredonia.”

Ferguson continued, “This afternoon, many of us in this room attended her funeral. And tomorrow, she will be buried. I ask for a moment of silence for our friend, a mother, a wife, a woman who gave service to this community for many years, Annemarie Johnston.”

Brian McAvoy emailed the OBSERVER Tuesday about an event in her honor that was scheduled before her passing. “There are questions about whether it should proceed — but it kind of has to,” he wrote. “They have tons of donations, a band, food being supplied by St. Columban’s.”

The benefit is set for 1 p.m. at the Conservation Club. However, registration for a cornhole tournament begins at 10 a.m. Various raffles will also be available.

“The organizing committee of the benefit for Annemarie sincerely thanks the community, colleagues, friends and merchants who have so generously given to her event,” McEvoy stated.

Johnston is survived by her husband, Scott, a former Fredonia village trustee; sons Mark and Robert; and extended family.